When Michael Marrocco becomes a police officer, he doesn’t want kids to be afraid of him.
With his future career in mind, he pitched an idea to the student council at Georgian College in Orillia: the Community Engagement Task Force. The goal: “Facilitating positive interactions between police officers and kids.”
It seems to be working, at least at one local school.
Since November, in partnership with Orillia OPP, Marrocco and some his fellow students in Georgian’s police studies degree program have visited Harriett Todd Public School every Wednesday during the school’s lunch break. Students in grades 6 to 8 can play a different sport every week or, for those who want to stay off the court, make crafts. They also get the chance to speak with future and current police officers.
Two weeks ago, a young girl admitted to Marrocco she was nervous around law enforcement.
“I spent a few minutes talking to her about that,” the third-year Georgian student said, adding it seemed to allay the girl’s fear.
The program is having a positive effect on Alexandria Marshall.
“It makes me more comfortable,” said Marshall, 12. “They’re acting friendly in a way I thought (police) wouldn’t.”
Jackson Sparrow agreed.
“They’re playing with us. They’re not aggressive,” the 11-year-old said. “A police officer comes up to you and you’re just like, ‘Hey.’ You’re not freaked out.”
That’s exactly what Marrocco wants to hear.
“It’s satisfying when a kid comes up to you and says, ‘I’m not afraid of cops anymore,’” he said.
Harriett Todd is the only school where the program is taking place — and it’s popular, with dozens of students taking part each week — but Marrocco wants to see it expand.
“My hope is it will be a thing across the whole county.”
It can be a good alternative in places where people aren’t comfortable having armed police officers in schools, Marrocco said, pointing to the Toronto District School Board’s decision to remove officers from its high schools.
“What’s wrong with having a bunch of young adults who want to be police officers come in and do something like this?” he said.
